ANY signs of a revival of fortunes for Kidderminster Harriers' season were quickly snuffed out today as a below par performance at Burton Albion saw the side slip to yet another Conference defeat.

Lee Bell's first goal for Burton proved enough to secure his side's fifth straight home win in - it was in truth all they needed, too, with Harriers rarely shifting out of first gear all afternoon.

The young midfielder on loan from Crewe steered in Jon Shaw's headed cross to low into the bottom corner of the net despite the best efforts of the scrambling Danny Leiws.

Harriers played the last 20 minutes with ten men after Daryl Burgess was sent off for two bookable offences - though both cautions were slightly on the contentious side.

DARYL Burgess sent off at Burton Albion.

He'll now miss next Saturday's home clash with Dagenham & Redbridge, as will Captain Mark Jackson, who picked up his fifth yellow of the season at the Pirelli Stadium. Johnny Mullins and Russ Penn were again both awarded yellow cards, whilst the hosts themselves had three players booked.

Nigel Clough's men dominated at times and did well to exploit their late numerical advantage, Mullins was very lucky not to have stuck the ball into his own net with ten minutes left as he wildly sliced to clear Keith Gilroy's shot.

Not for the first time on the road this season, hard-working youngster Simon Heslop was guilty of squandering Harriers best chance; he somehow managed to slice the ball high over the bar from close-range after Christie's neat build-up play.

Stuart Watkiss' men did have other opportunities though; Penn smacked the post from 20 yards in the second half whilst Christie went close with several late headers.

Michael Blackwood looked likely when brought into play, he caused the Burton defence and 'keeper Saul Deeney problems particularly in the first period.

Taiwo Atieno was guilty of some wasteful finishing in two minute's injury time at the end of the game; he hacked first time at the ball when through goal, sending the it high and wide.

The majority of the side put in a good amount of effort and determination today, though after such an electric showing at Boston in midweek, it seemed like only sheer quality was the difference between the two performances.

Burton Albion (0)1-0(0) Kidderminster Harriers
Venue: The Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 1,847
Referee: M Haywood (Lichfield)

Albion: Deeney, Henshaw, Tinson (Rowett 58), Austin, Corbett, Hall, Sedgemore, Bell, Gilroy, Harrad, Shaw.

Subs Not Used: Stride, Anderson, Ducros, Todd

Harriers: Lewis, Mullins, Jackson, Burgess, Hatswell, Pugh (Fleming 66), Penn, Heslop, Blackwood, Atieno, Christie.

Subs Not Used: Danby, Thompson, Wilson, Hurren.